HB593 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Andy WhittRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Small Craft Alcoholic Beverage Producers; licensing of small craft distilleries, small craft wineries, and small craft alcoholic beverage producers authorized

Summary

HB593 creates the Alabama Small Craft Alcoholic Beverages Act, authorizing new licenses for brewpubs, small craft distilleries, and small craft wineries, with a hybrid license to combine them.

What This Bill Does

It adds four license categories under a new framework: brewpubs, small craft distilleries, small craft wineries, and a hybrid craft alcoholic beverage complex license that can cover multiple types. It sets production limits, allows on-site tours and tastings, and permits off-site events, off-premises sales, and off-premises storage. It also creates rules for tours, tastings, delivery services, and off-premises extensions, with the Alabama ABC Board administering the program; the act takes effect October 1, 2026.

Who It Affects

• New and existing alcohol producers in Alabama (brewpubs, small craft distilleries, small craft wineries) who would obtain new licenses and operate under volume limits, tours, tastings, and on/off-premises sales
• Wholesalers, retailers, delivery-service licensees, and adult consumers (21+) who participate in tours, tastings, on-site and off-site sales, or home deliveries of alcohol

Key Provisions

• Creates the Alabama Small Craft Alcoholic Beverages Act with new license categories: brewpub (Article 2), small craft distillery (Article 3), small craft winery (Article 4), and a hybrid craft alcoholic beverage complex license allowing multiple types under one license
• Sets specific production caps and on-premises/off-premises sales: brewpub up to 10,000 barrels/year; distillery up to 50,000 gallons/year; winery up to 50,000 gallons/year; permits on-premises consumption and off-premises sales and designated wholesaler sales, with certain packaging and donation provisions
• Establishes license fees: brewpub $1,000/year; small craft distillery $1,000/year; small craft winery $1,000/year; hybrid license $2,000/year (or $1,000 initial if converting an existing license)
• Authorizes tours with an educational component and limited tastings: guided tours required; tastings in designated areas with per-session limits and a cap on total samples; tours cannot be counted as retail sales
• Provides a public-event tasting room extension license: up to 12 extensions per calendar year; allows dispensing samples and selling packaged beverages at events under defined limits and reporting requirements
• Allows off-premises manufacturing extension and storage: one off-premises extension location within the state (max 10 miles from the licensed premises) with strict controls, transport rules, and board oversight
• Enables a hybrid license to combine operations: applicant must meet qualifications for each type and premises must be separate for each beverage type but contiguous; conversion of existing licenses is allowed with set fees
• Creates a delivery service license: allows delivery of beer, wine, and spirits from licensed retailers/manufacturers to consumers with age checks, background checks, delivery caps, reporting, and enforcement; restricts deliveries to dry counties/municipalities as applicable; board can suspend or revoke for violations
• Effective date: October 1, 2026

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano-2025-08-07 on Apr 1, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco